Forward-fired automatic tissue sampling apparatus with safety lock

Abstract

An apparatus for the automated and facilitated handling and operation of a biopsy needle system, having a first needle component and a second needle component. The first and second needles are provided with first and second handles, respectively, which are fitted into first and second yokes of the apparatus. The apparatus is configured to maintain the first and second needles in a first position, during insertion of the biopsy needle point into the tissue being sampled. The apparatus is further configured to forwardly move the first and second needles into subsequent positions, respectively, in rapid, automated succession so as to segment and enclose a tissue sample, which may be tested after removal of the biopsy needle system from the tissue. A tissue sample inspection feature permits facilitated repositioning and maintenance of the first needle relative to the second needle after retrieval of the tissue sample to, in turn, enable inspection of the retrieved tissue sample without removal of either needle from the apparatus. The apparatus is further configured so as to be actuatable from positions adjacent the front or the rear of the apparatus housing. A safety lock feature is provided, which prevents inadvertent cocking motions, when the apparatus is actuated by either its rear or forward firing buttons.

1. An automatic tissue sampling apparatus, for use with a biopsy needle system of the kind including a first needle having a shaft member and two ends, a first handle disposed at one end of the shaft member, a cutting point disposed at the other end of the shaft member, and a tissue holding region positioned between the cutting point and the first handle, and a second needle having a hollow shaft, a cutting point disposed at one end of the hollow shaft, a second handle with a passageway arranged therethrough for reciprocation of the first needle, the automatic tissue sampling apparatus comprising:
 a housing; 
 first and second handle holders, operably disposed in the housing, for receiving and holding the first and second handles, respectively, of the first and second needles, toward moving same; 
 a propulsion mechanism, operably disposed in the housing, for moving the first and second handle holders within the housing, so as to move the respective needle handles to expose and subsequently cover, the tissue holding region, when the biopsy needle system has been positioned at a desired location within a tissue to be sampled, the propulsion mechanism being operably biased so as to tend to move the handle holders so as to expose and subsequently cover the tissue holding region, unless the handle holders are restrained; 
 a cocking mechanism, for placing the first and second handle holders, and, in turn, the first and second needles of the biopsy needle system respectively, into suitable respective positions within the housing for subsequent movement by the propulsion mechanism, the cocking mechanism including a single cocking lever, successive actuations of which move the first and second handle holders, successively, into said suitable respective positions within the housing for subsequent respective movement by the propulsion mechanism; 
 a retaining mechanism, for holding the handle holders, and, in turn, the first and second needles of the biopsy needle system in the suitable respective positions within the housing, prior to actuation of the apparatus; 
 a release mechanism, for actuating the retaining mechanism, so as to release the handle holders and enable the propulsion mechanism to move the first and second needles, so as to expose, and subsequently cover the tissue holding region, 
 a firing mechanism, operably connected to the release mechanism, for causing the actuation of the propulsion mechanism; and 
 a safety lock mechanism, incapable of automatic deployment by movement of either the cocking or firing mechanisms, 
 said safety lock mechanism being operably interconnected between the firing mechanism and the cocking mechanism, said safety lock mechanism being operably configured for movement by direct manual manipulation between a first position, wherein the firing mechanism can only be actuated when the cocking mechanism is substantially immobilized and a second position wherein the cocking mechanism can only be actuated when the firing mechanism is substantially immobilized. 
 
     
     
       2. The automatic tissue sampling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the cocking mechanism comprises:
 a cocking shaft, mounted in the housing for longitudinal reciprocating movement therein, and operably interconnected with the handle holders; and 
 said cocking lever being pivotably mounted on a rear wall portion of the housing, proximate the firing mechanism, and connected to the cocking shaft so that upon upward pivoting of the cocking lever, the cocking shaft is drawn rearwardly relative to the housing. 
 
     
     
       3. The automatic tissue sampling apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the safety lock mechanism comprises:
 a safety button, mounted in the rear portion of the housing, for reciprocating movement in a direction transverse to the cocking shaft between first and second positions, 
 the safety button having engagement structures disposed thereon, configured for selective engagement with the cocking shaft, when the safety button is in its first position, and with the rear firing member, when the safety button is in its second position, so that when the safety button is in its first position, the cocking shaft and, in turn, the cocking lever, are precluded from movement, and when the safety button is in its second position, the firing button is precluded from movement. 
 
     
     
       4. The automatic tissue sampling apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the safety button has a first notch, with an engagement shoulder therein, operably configured to enable the cocking shaft to move relative to the safety button when the safety button is in its second position, and to engage with a shoulder disposed on the cocking shaft to prevent movement of the cocking shaft relative to the safety button, when the safety button is in its first position. 
     
     
       5. The automatic tissue sampling apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the safety button has a second notch, operably configured to enable the rear firing button to move, when the safety button is in its first position, and to engage with a shoulder disposed on the rear firing button, to preclude movement thereof, when the safety button is in its second position. 
     
     
       6. The automatic tissue sampling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the firing mechanism comprises:
 a rear firing member operably positioned on a rearward portion of the housing. 
 
     
     
       7. The automatic tissue sampling apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a front firing member operably positioned on a forward portion of the housing, the front firing member being operably interconnected with the rear firing member.